CLEVELAND - Run-D.M.C. could "Walk This Way" into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The 1980s rap act, along with Metallica and the Stooges are among the nine nominees for next year's hall of fame class, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation announced Monday.

The other nominees are guitarist Jeff Beck, singer Wanda Jackson, Little Anthony and the Imperials, War, Bobby Womack, and disco and R&B group Chic, the only nominee back from last year's ballot.

The five leading vote-getters will be announced in January and inducted April 4, 2009, in Cleveland.

The ceremony typically has been held in New York but is returning to Cleveland after more than a decade-long absence. Tickets will be made available to the public for the first time.

Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five opened the door for rap at the Rock Hall as the first hip-hop act to be inducted in 2007. Now, Run-D.M.C., nominated in the first year of its eligibility, has the chance to follow on the strength of rock and rap blends such as the 1986 cover of Aerosmith's "Walk This Way" and classics like "It's Tricky" and "My Adidas."

Metallica jumped on the heavy metal wave of the '80s and 25 years later is still selling out arenas. This month the group released "Death Magnetic," which marks a return to its early speed metal days.

The Stooges, recently given props in the film "Juno," get another shot after last appearing on the ballot two years ago.

Left off the ballot were Stevie Ray Vaughan and Bon Jovi. Both had been eligible for the first time. To be nominated an act must have released its first single or album 25 years prior.

More than 500 musicians, industry professionals and journalists vote on the inductions.

I think there might be a bias, one of many, towards beloved British artists that didn't make it very big in America. The Smiths, Kate Bush, Joy Division and others are iconic British artists that never had long term success in America and not surprisingly they have been pretty much ignored by voters.

I think there might be a bias, one of many, towards beloved British artists that didn't make it very big in America. The Smiths, Kate Bush, Joy Division and others are iconic British artists that never had long term success in America and not surprisingly they have been pretty much ignored by voters.

I don't know, I would have been better off having never seen this list of people not voted in.

Your argument would hold if it weren't for the fact that Bon Jovi got ignored. I'm not saying they're the greatest band ever, but I think at least in the US they're pretty "beloved" you know?

I mean just looking, Dire Straits, David Gilmour, WHAT THE FUCK, just noticed Peter Gabriel what is wrong with this! Genesis not being in there is a joke. UK band, yes, but just as popular here, imo.

I don't know, I would have been better off having never seen this list of people not voted in.

Your argument would hold if it weren't for the fact that Bon Jovi got ignored. I'm not saying they're the greatest band ever, but I think at least in the US they're pretty "beloved" you know?

I mean just looking, Dire Straits, David Gilmour, WHAT THE FUCK, just noticed Peter Gabriel what is wrong with this! Genesis not being in there is a joke. UK band, yes, but just as popular here, imo.

Well, there seem to be a bunch of different theories. None are perfect. Another theory is that the Hall hates prog/art rock because bands like Genesis, Rush, Yes and others aren't in but yet Pink Floyd is. There is merit to these theories but they all have exceptions.